FDA Recalls Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate for Possible Lead
More than 40,000 cans of a product sold at Walmart are reportedly subject to a recall over possible lead contamination.
Before eating or throwing away anything, compare the can’s name, size, UPC, and lot code with the FDA’s official recall notice. Those details matter: a recall may cover only certain production lots, not every can sold under the same brand.
Here’s how to check the details, what to do if your can matches, and where to turn with health concerns.
Check the FDA recall notice before identifying a can
The FDA notice is the source to use for confirming the affected product.
Find the product name and package codes
Check the notice for the exact brand and product name, can size, UPC, and any lot or batch codes. It may also list best-by dates or other package details. Compare each detail with the can you have, since a similar name or size does not confirm that your item is part of the recall.
Confirm where and when it was sold
Recall notices may list states or regions, store locations, online sales, and dates of distribution. Check those details against where and when you bought the can. If you ordered it online, review your order history and any messages from the retailer.
The reported can count does not show whether the product went to every Walmart store or was sold through other retailers. Don’t assume your location was included, or excluded, without checking the notice. The FDA or company may update the notice as more distribution details become available.
Check the stated reason and recall status
The concern reported here is possible lead contamination. That does not mean every can in the reported quantity contains lead, or that every customer who bought one was exposed.
Use the official notice to confirm whether the recall is voluntary, whether the FDA has assigned a recall classification, and whether the company has given further instructions. If those details aren’t stated, don’t fill the gaps with claims from other reports.
Great Value Fruit Cocktail Recall
-Product: Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate
-Reason for Recall: Potential lead contamination
-Quantity: Over 44,000 cans (1,800 cases)
-Recall Classification Class II (may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences)
Affected Regions:
Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming
Identification:
Lot Number: 6FCB 04 C2263
UPC: 078742369570
Best By Date: SEP 01, 2027
What to do if a Walmart can may be affected
If your can matches the product and codes in the official notice, keep it out of meals. Follow the company’s directions for returns or disposal, and contact the listed source if you need help.
Don’t eat or serve a matching can
Do not taste, cook, rinse, or serve a can that matches the recall notice. Heat or washing should not be treated as a way to make recalled food safe. This applies to food that has already been opened or added to a dish as well.
If the can is still sealed, keep it separate from other food while you check the notice. If you’ve already eaten some, avoid eating more and contact a health professional if you’re concerned about possible exposure. Save the package if you can do so safely, since its codes may help identify the product.
Follow confirmed return or disposal directions
Use the return, refund, or disposal instructions in the FDA notice or the manufacturer’s announcement. Don’t assume you need a receipt, or that every Walmart store handles the return in the same way. The notice or retailer can confirm what applies.
Check the official notice for customer-service details. For an online order, review the retailer’s recall information and contact customer service through your order record.
Why possible lead contamination matters
Lead is a toxic metal. The FDA and CDC warn that exposure can harm health, but the risk from any specific product depends on whether it contains lead and how much a person consumed.
Lead exposure can affect health
The CDC says lead can affect the brain and nervous system, among other parts of the body. Exposure may cause harm even when a person does not have clear symptoms. A recall based on possible contamination is a reason to avoid the listed product, not proof that every can contains lead.
Children and pregnant people need particular care
Children are more vulnerable to lead’s harmful effects, and exposure can affect their growth and development. Lead can also pose risks during pregnancy. Caregivers and pregnant people should take extra care to keep any matching product away from meals.
Contact a healthcare professional or local health department if a child, pregnant person, or anyone else may have eaten food from an affected can. They can advise you on the right next steps based on the situation. This is especially important if you have questions about symptoms or testing.
Separate confirmed recall facts from unanswered questions
Recall details can change as a company and regulators review a report. Use official sources to confirm what is known and avoid broad claims about a whole brand.
Check for updates and compare exact codes
An investigation may lead to new product codes, sales areas, or instructions. Recheck the FDA or manufacturer’s announcement if you have a can that may be affected. Retailers may also send alerts to customers who bought the product online.
A recall usually applies to specific products or lots. It does not automatically cover every item from the same brand. Compare the label and codes rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Keep food recall checks simple
A few basic habits can help you act quickly when a product alert appears. They can’t reveal whether food contains lead, so always follow official recall instructions.
Keep product details handy
When you buy canned goods named in a recall, keep the receipt or note the product name and package codes. This can make it easier to check a notice or contact a retailer. A clear photo of the label and lot code may also help.
Check FDA and retailer alerts when you hear about a food recall. If someone else in your household shops or cooks, share the exact product identifiers from the notice so they can check too.
Final thoughts
The report describes a recall involving more than 40,000 cans of Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate sold at Walmart, with possible lead contamination as the concern.
If your cans match, don’t eat or serve it. Follow the official return or disposal directions, and contact a healthcare professional if you’re concerned that someone may have consumed it.
Resources:
Fink, B. (2026, October 21). FDA announces recall on more than 40,000 cans of popular Walmart product for possible lead contamination. Allrecipes. https://www.allrecipes.com/walmart-fruit-cocktail-recall-lead-oct-2026-12186591
Laufik, M. (2026, October 22). Fruit cocktail sold at Walmart urgently recalled due to dangerously high lead levels. Martha Stewart. https://www.marthastewart.com/fruit-cocktail-recall-october-2026-12188212
FreshRecall Team. (2026, October 20). Great Value Fruit Cocktail recalled for lead contamination. FreshRecall. https://freshrecall.com/recalls/great-value-fruit-cocktail-recalled-for-lead-contamination